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We are squarely in recognition season, with the 2026 Pro Bowl Games (Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/DisneyXD/NFL+) and NFL Honors (Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC/NFL Network/NFL+) coming up. But not EVERY important performance drew public accolades.
Below, Kevin Patra has identified one unsung hero from every AFC team, explaining how each player rose to the occasion in 2025, even if they weren’t officially given their flowers in the form of a Pro Bowl or first-team All-Pro nod. Note: Stats reflect regular-season performance unless otherwise noted. Click here to see the names from the NFC.
The Ravens’ defense had issues in 2025; Travis Jones was not one of them. The 2022 third-round pick enjoyed his best season, generating career highs in sacks (five), QB hits (nine), tackles (47) and tackles for loss (nine). Despite facing double-teams along a Ravens defense that otherwise lacked oomph, Jones led the club with 46 QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus, tied for 15th-most among interior defenders. The 26-year-old is also one of the top interior run defenders, able to shed blocks and clog the middle. Baltimore clearly knows his worth, having inked him to a three-year, $40.5 million extension last month. He deserves more love outside of Maryland, as well.
The Bills upped Gilliam’s usage significantly in 2025. He took 224 snaps, 52 more than in any of his previous five seasons in Buffalo, and it paid off — the steamrolling fullback helped open holes for the NFL’s leading rusher, James Cook , and pushed Josh Allen for numerous first downs. Gilliam was the best blocking fullback in the NFL on both run and pass plays, mashing open holes on the second level, and he didn’t allow a pressure in the passing game, per PFF. Not taking anything away from Patrick Ricard , but Gilliam should have represented the AFC in the Pro Bowl.
